Shine a light on bad practices, not our walls
A frequent concern of our members who work in the housebuilding sector relates to unfair snagging practices on internal finishes.
Change won’t happen unless we stand above the parapet, and therefore FIS is shining a light on unfair snagging practices.
To support our members, FIS has launched its Shine a Light campaign to help drive out improper snagging practices of plaster finishes which often results in contractors suffering from delayed and incomplete payments.
Members are reporting that bright lights are being used at close range during snagging inspections which highlights small defects in plaster finishes that would otherwise be undetectable. This is against the current guidelines within BS EN 13914-2 which recommends that a plaster finish should be viewed with natural light from either the centre of the room or a two-metre minimum distance.
Guidance on Managing expectations
We have published technical guidance which we recommend members download and share with their clients and contractors to manage expectations. This guidance sets out:
- Tolerances
- inspection methods
- lighting conditions; and
- what should be specified and what should be assumed in the absence of a specification.
You're not alone
We are aware that commercial pressure from housebuilders is prevalent in the industry and we encourage members to inform us when they encounter these bad practices. You can reach out in confidence to Iain McIlwee, FIS CEO via email iainmcilwee@thefis.org or call 07792 959481
“Our belief is that the practice has little to do with quality and everything to do with bullying the supply chain and making sure sub-contractors are operating under commercial tension for the benefit of the main contractor toward contract/payment negotiations.”
Iain McIlwee
CEO, FIS
“In the finishing industry in respect of the tape & jointing process companies are shining LED lights directly on to a wall surface when BS states you stand two metres away in the finished light lux levels as a fair means of inspection. This method is not appropriate or fair and reasonable with a hand applied finish. They then use the LED light as a tool to beat the taping company and in some cases delay, reduce or in the worst-case scenario withhold payment.
Unfortunately, as a result small businesses are losing thousands of pounds, sub-contractors are not being paid. The construction industry needs to set in place a set of guidelines which is an industry standard that all construction companies must sign up to if we do not then these methods will not be outlawed.”
Anonymous FIS Member
“The culture of corporate bullying is rife. Organisations are using methods that are not recognised as best practice in the British Standards to in their eyes substantiate a reason not to pay companies for works done. We need to encourage people into the industry but when young people see the culture, the bullying the ruthless nature that is so obvious in our industry it leaves them cold and many leave before they have had chance to really see what a good career the construction industry can offer.”
Anonymous FIS Member